The simmering discontent among contract workers at the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh has reached a boiling point. The workers' Joint Action Committee (JAC) has declared an indefinite massive hunger strike commencing on December 23. This drastic step comes as a direct response to the administration's alleged failure to honor written commitments concerning a staggering Rs 90 crore in unpaid wage arrears.
Broken Promises and Mounting Dues
The core of the conflict lies in what the JAC describes as the PGI administration reneging on multiple written undertakings. The committee has accused the authorities of violating assurances given in both 2024 and 2025. A pivotal commitment was reportedly made on August 12, where the administration agreed to release revised wages, a promise that remains unfulfilled.
The financial grievances are substantial and specific. Out of a total of Rs 76 crore released by the Government of India (GOI) for the workers, a significant portion—Rs 20 crore—has allegedly not been disbursed to the intended beneficiaries. Furthermore, the workers are demanding an additional Rs 55 crore in revised wages that they are rightfully owed. The pending payments affect a wide range of staff, including security guards, sewermen, and employees working at PGI's satellite centres located in Sangrur, Una, and the Nehru Hospital Extension.
The "Last Weapon": Hunger Strike and Broader Demands
Frustrated by prolonged negotiations and unmet assurances, the JAC has positioned the upcoming hunger strike as their final and most severe form of protest. They have explicitly warned that December 23 will mark the deployment of their "last weapon" in this battle for their rights.
The workers' demands extend beyond the immediate clearance of wage arrears. The JAC is also pressing for the implementation of other essential benefits that have been denied. These include:
- Medical insurance coverage for all contract workers.
- Payment of annual bonuses.
- Provision of holiday benefits as stipulated under Rule 25.
The JAC asserts that these are genuine and long-overdue entitlements, not new concessions.
A Crisis of Trust and Accountability
The announcement of a hunger strike underscores a severe breakdown in trust between the contract workforce and the PGI administration. The workers feel betrayed by the unfulfilled written assurances, which they relied upon in good faith. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by contract workers in India's vital public sector institutions, where delays in wages and benefits can cause extreme hardship.
As the December 23 deadline approaches, all eyes are on the PGI administration in Chandigarh. The question remains whether a last-minute resolution can be reached to address the Rs 90 crore arrears and ancillary demands, or if the institute will witness a major labor unrest spearheaded by a determined hunger strike.
